Straight from the Scullery

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Georgia State of Mind

January 2, 1788

Although we tend to think of American Civil War stories when discussing the history of the State of Georgia, there was a lot of action in the Peach State during the American Revolution as well.

Georgia Patriots raided the magazine in Savannah in 1775, dividing the stolen powder with South Carolina. After driving out the royal governor, James Wright, following Savannah’s Battle of the Rice Boats in February of 1776, Archibald Bulloch was named commander in chief of the militia. Delegates were sent to the Philadelphia convention in time to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Over the course of the next decade, events took place that led Georgians to become the fourth state to ratify the Constitution of the United States (January 2, 1788). General Charles Lee led an ill-fated invasion into British-held Florida. It was the first of three unsuccessful attempts, each led by a different military figure.

The Siege of Savannah then saw the return of James Wright, who announced that Georgia had been restored to the crown. Charleston fell shortly thereafter, followed by the city of Augusta. Eventually, Governor Wright was ordered to evacuate Savannah; Charleston and Augusta were reclaimed as the American Revolution drew to a close.

Georgia Style Brunswick Stew

1 ½ lb chicken, cooked and shredded

1½ lb ground pork, cooked and shredded

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp hot sauce

2 T Worcestershire sauce

2 T dried minced onions

½ cup barbecue sauce

1 cup ketchup

3 (15 oz.) cans cream style corn

2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes

2 large baking potatoes, peeled and diced

1 chopped red bell pepper

Combine all ingredients in a stock pot on low heat. Cover; continue to simmer on low heat for approximately 2 hours.